Today we had the amazing opportunity to further explore Antigua and its historical background. While touring a 15th century house restored by the Poppone family that occupied the house for all of their lifetime, we were struck by the breathtaking view of erupting volcano’s on the roof of the building. Needless to say, Guatemala is known for its magnificent flora fauna, with blooming flowers and mountainous ranges at every corner. We later made our way into the central market, filled with all kinds of authentic commodities for us to buy. While I was tempted to buy everything in sight, I knew that I had to resist the urge to spend all of my money, and so I purchased only essentials. Nevertheless, I was deeply saddened by the locals’ economic situation and how they desperately wanted to appeal to tourists in order to make ends meet. Witnessing children walking with their mothers and begging for consumers, was very moving and tragic to watch.
I was always aware that Guatemala is a very pious country. However, today when I walked into an elaborate church, I was stunned to see many locals quietly listening to a prayer and nodding along. It was great to know that what the Guatemalans lack in goods they make up for by faith. After finishing up with our tour/mini-shopping experience of Antigua, the group and I headed towards a buffet-style restaurant filled with all kinds of meats and side dishes. The food was delicious and had a pure and distinct flavor resembling the purity and uniqueness of the culture of Guatemala. I’m excited to see what kinds of meals we will taste next. I’m also excited to explore the natural setting via the upcoming trip to the reserves.
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